Comparison between thoracoscopic pleural cryobiopsy and conventional forceps biopsy in diagnosis of exudative pleural effusion: Assiut University experience
Reham M El-Morshedy, Maha M El-kholy, Nermeen A M H Kamel, Samiaa H Sadek, Alaa S Abdel Ghany, Marwan N Mohamed
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Abstract Context Exudative pleural effusion is a diagnostic dilemma that includes many steps; one of them is obtaining a definite diagnosis through pleural biopsy. Cryoprobes are being increasingly used for obtaining larger specimens with fewer crush artifacts. However, the safety and feasibility of cryoprobe biopsy compared with standard forceps for pleural biopsy have not been fully assessed. Aims To evaluate the diagnostic value, size, and quality of the specimens obtained by flexible cryoprobe in comparison with those obtained by flexible forceps probe during medical thoracoscopy in patients with exudative pleural effusion and to assess the possible complications from the procedure. Settings and design This interventional prospective study was carried out at the endoscopy unit at Chest Department and Tuberculosis Assiut University Hospital. Patients and methods This study included 60 patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion. Medical thoracoscopy was carried out for all the patients, and pleural biopsies were taken from the parietal pleura using a conventional rigid forceps probe and flexible cryoprobe in the same settings. Results Cryoprobe biopsy established a definite diagnosis in 55/60, with 91.6% diagnostic yield, whereas forceps biopsy had a definite diagnosis in 53/60, with 88.3% diagnostic yield. The size of cryoprobe biopsy was significantly larger in comparison with the forceps biopsy (26.56 ± 22.16 vs. 17.38 ± 12.08 mm 2 ; P <0.001). The depth of pleural biopsy was evaluated by the presence of extrapleural fat cells, which were significantly higher in cryoprobe biopsy in comparison with forceps biopsy [21 (35%) vs. 11 (18.3%); P =0.03]. There were no significant complications or procedure-related deaths. Conclusions Cryobiopsy is a possible safe and effective alternative to conventional forceps probe biopsy in the diagnosis of exudative pleural effusion with a larger, deeper, and less number of biopsies. It was also found that cryoprobe biopsy had a better diagnostic yield, sensitivity, and accuracy.
期刊介绍:
The journal will cover technical and clinical studies related to health, ethical and social issues in field of The Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis aims to publish and inform readers and all chest physicians of the progress in medical research concerning all aspect of chest diseases. Publications include original articles review articles, editorials, case studies and reports which are relevant to chest diseases. The Journal also aims to highlight recent updates in chest medicine. . Articles with clinical interest and implications will be given preference.